Dear Dr. Sports, I’m a thin, healthy 40-year-old woman. The only regular physical activity I do is yoga. Should I add some cardio work? I don’t have much time, and I don’t want to join a gym. – Kat B.
Kat, the benefits of yoga overlap considerably with those of exercise. You obviously both enjoy and benefit from yoga, but especially as a women, you would do best to supplement it with some “weight-bearing” aerobic exercise to fill in the gaps. Why? Let’s start with a summary of the three proven areas where aerobic exercise helps:
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» The physical benefits of regular aerobic exercise are enormous.
» It significantly reduces the incidence of heart attacks, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity and many cancers. It also reduces blood pressure, improves cholesterol levels and reduces the incidence of viral illnesses. If the exercise is weight-bearing, it reduces the risk of osteoporosis as well.
» Mentally, exercise stimulates the production of endorphins, the brain chemicals that dull pain and elevate mood, producing the “runner’s high” that accompanies especially vigorous exercise. Exercisers also report diminished anxiety and clearer thinking, and over the long haul they are less likely to suffer the cognitive declines of aging.
The fitness benefits of exercise complement these health gains. Improved strength and exercise tolerance make sports and other daily activities more productive and enjoyable, and enable fit individuals to stay active and independent well into “old age.” Improved balance results in less chance of potentially devastating injuries in the aged as well.
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